I have tickets to Melbourne! For one day only I will be running around the Siena of the south and attempting to buy shoes and Italian hot chocolate powder as well as see an exhibition of clothing in the age of Jane Austen and catch up with pushdragon and meredyth-13 . Easy. I have ten whole hours between the landing and taking off!

The exhibition looks fabulous, with frocks, decorative items and art from the period on display. I hope the National Gallery of Victoria allows photos! And then I will need to work out how to find Preston, and find out if Bonfood is open on Saturdays. They seem to be the only people in Australia who import my fave Italian hot chocolate mix, and so I am on a mission to stock up. I admit that this is ridiculous. But I REALLY like hot chocolate.

Seeing push and mere is, of course, my first priority, though I dream of finding shoes that fit my stumpy little feet. Poor feet. Eleven years in Birkenstocks. I am off to Sole Devotion, but any other recommendations for good shoe shops that can be reached by public transport would be welcome. I have little manky feet, so shops that have shoes which are not all spiked heels would be the best bet. Spike heels and I look at each other with squinty-eyed hatred.

Any other Melburnites who are dead keen on Regency fashion and would like to catch up in person? I am yet to schedule the day in any sane order, but it's Saturday the 17th. Alas, I really will be just dropping in, and am utterly unable to drive, so it is central town only. Unless you live in Preston and can point me in the direction of hot chocolate powder ;-)

And in more important news for the day, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO acromantular and </span> marguerite_26 ! </span>I hope that you are both having the most spectacular day humanly possible. And Maggie, I WILL make it to your northern holdfast before too much longer passes. Though I might wait until the snow comes and goes as otherwise all you will see of me is my stripey bobble hat!

It's too hot for me then, alas. I like it a great deal, but don't know it well enough to love it. But I feel I could ;-) I hope you have a fabbo trip, too, and will let you know if the Italian food shop is worth visiting ;-)

What's the hot chocolate of which you speak? If you mean Fraus, they have a whole cafe of their own in North Melbourne and a cafe across the road from me also sells their sachets. Otherwise it's no trouble to drive you to Preston, which is not too far from me. If I pick you up from the airport, Preston is on the way back to the city.

We must line up breakfast or something, with Mer. So many fine options ...

Now THERE'S an offer! I was planning my shenanigans via bus and tram, but Pushmobile is far superior. And it's Perugina Nero 70% ciocolatta in tazza available at Bonfood's retail outlet on Bruthen St in Preston, which I am hoping most hopefully is open on weekends, otherwise I shall cry.

Meals with Mer sounds like the best plan ever! I am at your disposal, provided we can take an hour or two our for shoes and Austen frocks. Yippee! And hurrah for having you back in the country! You looked splendid when last I mimed at you. Now go to bed, if you haven't already ;-)

*I* should go to bed?? I have the jetlag excuse - what's your excuse, missy? I give up, I'm going to work now. I emailed Bonfoods to ask what hours they're open on the weekend, will let you know. And will discuss venues with Mer.

You'll have to let me know what time you land. And who are you flying with?

You relax, young lady! Any spare time is to be spent with your feet up! I am assured they have the correct powder in stock, so supplies will be gathered and contact details for future mail orders will be taken. And Mr Brammers will give me such a look as I stock a whole shelf of the pantry with chocolate powder.

Miss you, too! And will definitely hug Push for you! I am looking at a North America trip next year rather than trying to shoehorn you into Christmas. And I will be more use with medium sized twins ;-)

feralcheryl on October 11th, 2009 09:44 pm (UTC)from one stumpy foot to another

try http://www.yodgee.com.au/ at Glenferrie, just as you walk out of the station.Not terribly glamorous, but they will fit. My love my new Papillios, a little bit rocker chick for the the over forty with foot issues.Also Geox http://www.geox.com/ (city and Campberwell) I haven't seen this brand in Sinney but their selling point is they are a wide last and they breath. My selling point is that I fit into kids sizes and they have bling on bling on gold runners.Preston is in the middle of nowhere. Ring Adina or Laura, they go to the markets weekly.And the frocks rock, big time.Have a blast and maybe catch up for beverage of choice this week?

blamebrampton on October 13th, 2009 02:15 pm (UTC)Re: from one stumpy foot to another

Good tips! Yodgee at least looks as though it night have a pair of boots or two that I could wear. I think I will be available today (Wednesday): I still have the same phone number, do you? Give me a call.

The exhibition is gorgeous, sadly photos are not usually permitted. However, many of the gowns are for persons of...er...diminutive stature, so if you manage to stuff one in your handbag, it's likely to fit.

Completely understand hot chocolate love and the hatred of spiky heels. Anything higher than the rubber/leather sole throws my back into spasms. Have fun!! We'll probably bypass Melbourne and head straight to Tassie once we've made it across the Nullarbor. We've become completely accustomed to the big outdoors. Visited a local Perth shopping centre and it sent us packing with paranoid glances over our shoulders. Crowds = Shudder. Found a gorgeous Victorian outfit in the WA Museum, not Georgian I realise but it WAS lovely :) hugs

Oh, jealous! I have never been to Melbourne, which is stupid, especially considering I've been to Ballarat, which is not too far. I'd love to go, shall have to consider it before uni starts up. I am however going to the Gold Coast for what promises to be a ridiculously unexciting trip to visit my relatives on the 23rd. It means a long weekend off work, though, so I'm happy.

Can totally understand the hatred for spiky heels. I am terrible in heels, though thankfully reasonably tall. And I have the opposite problem to you - I have size 10 or 11 feet. It's hell. Just bought an unbelievably cute pair of black flats for work, so I'm happy with shoes at the moment. :)